Reader Letter | U.S. squandered opportunity after 9/11

Sep. 11, 2011

In reflecting on the last 10 years, I am saddened that our government seems to have squandered a wonderful opportunity it had to take a leadership role in working with other countries to address terrorism and its root causes. Just after the attacks in 2001, people on every continent waved the U.S. flag and shouted in their streets that they were “Americans.” In Tehran, for example, Iranians held candlelight vigils in memory of our loss.

Similarly, governments offered their assistance in our time of need. After attacking Afghanistan in response to 9/11, our country appeared to lose its focus on terrorism and took a unilateral approach by attacking Iraq, which was led by a brutal dictator but had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks on our country. Our approach alienated several of our traditional allies. In addition, it took pressure off al-Qaida, allowing them to expand their violent attacks throughout the region.

Here I should point out that my views are colored by the fact that as a young man I traveled through southern Asia, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. I lived in Tehran for 6˝ months during the height of its revolution in 1978-79. During that time I came to appreciate the fact that most Iranian people like our country and our people, but dislike the policies of our government. Just 25 years earlier, in 1953, the U.S. government had orchestrated the overthrow of their democratically elected government and reinstated the Shah, whose secret police could be ruthless. Our government also supported Saddam Hussein when he attacked Iran in 1980 and used chemical weapons.

Iran had opposed the Taliban and al-Qaida in Afghanistan before 9/11, and they were no fan of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. After 9/11, Iran used its relationship with the Northern Alliance in 2001 to help the U.S. develop a base for liberating Afghanistan. In December 2001 Iran was instrumental in bringing conflicting sides together to form the early Afghan government. A month later, President Bush labeled Iran a member of the “Axis of Evil” and threatened military force against it.

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Despite this, Iran offered reconstruction aid to Afghanistan. In 2002 Iran offered to cover local expenses for training and equipping a new Afghan army under U.S. leadership. This offer was met with silence from the U.S. In 2003, Iran offered to dialogue with the U.S. on a range of issues which divided the governments of our two countries. Once again their offer received no response from the U.S. While Iran felt relieved to have the Taliban, al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein removed from their borders, the U.S. amassed troops on those borders, ignored Iran’s offers of cooperation, and threatened to use military force against it. Viewed from their position, it might be understandable why Iran took a step back and decided to proceed with its nuclear program.

Now a rift has developed between the Iranian government and its people, who long for greater democracy. It will be more difficult for our two countries to find common ground for dialogue while hardliners are exerting greater influence in Iran. But the people of Iran know that time is on their side.

As we begin the second decade after 9/11, an uncertainty remains in southwestern Asia, Palestine and northeastern Africa. I hope that the U.S.-Iran relationship is one area where the opportunity for a productive partnership, when it arises, will be taken up and cultivated.